Welcome to The Radar. Nick Wright’s Sky Sports column combines data and opinion to highlight must-know stories from the top and bottom of the Premier League. this week:
⭐ O’Reilly becomes more valuable to Manchester City
📊 Maassen’s creativity against Aston Villa
🔥Thiago finishes at Brentford
🔍 Players to watch this weekend
Tall, technical and faster than Haaland
Manchester City’s trip to Real Madrid gave Nico O’Reilly his first Champions League goal. Minutes after scoring the first goal, the 20-year-old dominated for the second, his chipped cross fouling Antonio Rudiger and giving Erling Haaland a penalty.
Nico O’Reilly played both on the left and in the midfield box.
This was another match that highlighted the magnitude of his contribution to Josep Guardiola’s team. He scored the same number of goals from set pieces, dangerous surges from the left, flipped into midfield and took as many touches in the opposition box as Haaland, but he was also diligent in defending at the other end.
O’Reilly admitted he should have moved closer to Rodrygo if he wanted to score Real Madrid’s goal. But on the Bernabéu cauldron, the midfielder-turned-full-back was never dribbled past. “I was able to recover in the end,” he said after being named Man of the Match.
He will be confident of keeping his place in Guardiola’s starting XI for Sunday’s clash with Crystal Palace, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Manchester City signed specialist left-back Rayan Ayet-Nouri over the summer, but luring O’Reilly away has proven difficult.
He continues to make the team better.
O’Reilly joined the team in April last season, coinciding with Manchester City’s return to Champions League qualification after winning five of their six Premier League games. His reappointment in September had a similar impact.
Across two campaigns, Manchester City have won an impressive 82 per cent of their 17 games in the Premier League. Without him, that number would drop to 47 percent. When he plays, the team scores more goals and concedes fewer goals.
Of course, his participation is not the only factor. But the numbers certainly help explain his value to Guardiola.
O’Reilly emerged as the manager’s clear first choice at left-back, allowing Josko Gvardiol to return to his natural position at centre-back. He looks set to retain his place in the England squad after impressing Thomas Tuchel in last month’s international match.
He brings a unique profile to this role, combining the technical ability of an attacking midfielder with outstanding physical characteristics.
Nico O’Reilly has recorded a top speed of 35.98km/h this season.
His height at 6 feet 4 inches is invaluable in either box. But unusually, he has recorded the highest top speed of any Manchester City player, including Haaland, this season, ranking him among the 10 fastest players in the Premier League.
His “incredible” pace, in Guardiola’s words after the match against Real Madrid, is an asset on both ends of the pitch.
Sunday, December 14th 12:30pm
Kickoff at 2pm
In the style of the departed Kyle Walker, O’Reilly is able to keep up with opposition runners at the back when Manchester City hold a high line, while also accelerating away from his marker in the final third, where he continues to make important contributions.
His all-around effectiveness has been evident throughout the season.
O’Reilly ranks first among Manchester City players in tackles and third in interceptions and aerials scored in the Premier League, but he also ranks high in terms of shooting and chance creation.
Nico O’Reilly contributed both defensively and offensively.
His goal, scored from close range from a set-piece against Real Madrid, was his fourth since his breakthrough at Manchester City. He also contributed four assists and would have had five had Haaland not had O’Reilly’s typically accurate cross blocked by Thibaut Courtois in first-half stoppage time on Wednesday.
O’Reilly will aim to add to that figure on Sunday and provide further evidence of his growing importance to Guardiola, with the Palace side without the injured Daniel Munoz on the side.
Masen has earned Emery’s trust
Ian Maassen left-back to another left-back. The 23-year-old has had to put up with Aston Villa after joining from Chelsea for £37.5m last year. But in the end, he appears to have usurped the spot as Unai Emery’s first choice from Lucas Digne.
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Watch highlights from Aston Villa’s win over Arsenal
He made back-to-back starts against Brighton and Arsenal in the Premier League, but the latest clue came in Thursday night’s game against Basel, when he was dropped to the bench for the first time this season in a Europa League game, with Emery appearing to be conserving his energy for the trip to West Ham, which was broadcast live on Sky Sports on Sunday.
Maasen acquitted himself admirably against two formidable opponents in Yankuba Minte and Bukayo Saka in the wins over Brighton and Arsenal, but it is in attack that he stands out. Quick and direct, he offers a different kind of threat to Digne, who is a set-piece specialist.
Ian Maassen provided creativity and attacking threat from left-back
That threat was evident in his last two Premier League games, but it was also a feature of his play at Aston Villa. He ranks first among Villa players since the start of last season in open play chances created per 90 minutes and second in expected assists. Only two players average more shots.
He is now showing signs of improvement defensively and has had the opportunity to display those offensive qualities more consistently. Emery will be hoping Villa continue in the same vein as they aim to maintain their winning streak at the London Stadium.
Sunday, December 14th 12:30pm
Kickoff at 2pm
Will Thiago strike again?
Brentford face Leeds on Sky Sports on Sunday after back-to-back away defeats, but it will be a different game at the G-Tech Community Stadium. Only Manchester City, Arsenal and Aston Villa have won more than 16 points at home this season.
All of Igor Thiago’s goals have been scored from between the width of the posts.
Igor Thiago has more than fulfilled his role, scoring seven goals in the last five home games. They will look to the Brazilian to make a difference once again, having emerged as one of the Premier League’s most dangerous No.9s this season.
His success has been largely due to his instinctive ability in the box, with 10 of his 11 goals so far being openers. This is the most for a Premier League player, with five penalties included in the total, but it still highlights his ruthlessness as a finisher.
Sunday, December 14th 4pm
4:30pm kickoff
Player Radar: Other Players to Watch
Crystal Palace’s Eddie Nketiah is finding his rhythm after an injury-hit start to the season, scoring back-to-back goals against Fulham and Shelbourne. Can he add to his tally against Manchester City on Sunday?
Live Radar: What’s on Sky this weekend?
Saturday Night Football sees Burnley host Fulham in the Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event from 5pm, ahead of kick-off at 5.30pm.
Five games will be available to watch on Sky Sports on Super Sunday, with Crystal Palace v Man City, Nottingham Forest v Spurs, Sunderland v Newcastle, West Ham v Aston Villa kicking off at 2pm and Leeds hosted by Brentford kicking off at 4.30pm.
Monday Night Football is Man United vs Bournemouth from 6.30pm on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event. Kickoff at 8pm.
Read last week’s Radar column
In my last column, I analyzed Liverpool’s vulnerability to long passes and direct play before dropping another point in a 3-3 draw with Leeds at Elland Road.
